Dryer: principle of operation and device

Dryers are devices, although useful, but so far not very popular. What is it connected with? Most likely, with a lack of understanding of people of their main purpose and principle of work. Dryer: what is this “miracle” of technology? The answer is simple – this is a device that can replace clotheslines for drying clothes, folding dryers and more.

Such a unit will be especially useful for families with many children, when a large number of washed things simply have nowhere to dry at the same time. How is the technique arranged and how does it work? We’ll talk about this below.

Variety of dryers

Proper care of clothes involves not only ensuring their effective washing, but also proper drying. This can be achieved by squeezing to the maximum, by steaming or by using hot air currents. Modern electric dryers allow the use of all these methods, sometimes even in combination.

There are three types of dryers:

  • dryer machine;
  • drum dryer;
  • drying cabinet (sometimes with one chamber or several).

All three types of devices differ in design and principle of operation.

A tumble dryer is the choice of most consumers. About it and will be discussed further.

Types of electric drum dryers

To find out what drum electric dryers are, you need to understand another point: where does the moisture go from clothes? There are two options here. The first involves the release of moist air to the outside, the second – its accumulation in a special container.

Based on this, drum electric dryers, according to the principle of moisture removal, are divided into:

  • ventilation;
  • condensation;
  • with heat pump (advanced condensing type).

To find out how these machines differ, consider each type separately.

Ventilation

Models of dryers with ventilation removal of moisture are considered obsolete. Although their design, compared with the other two types, is simpler.

The principle of operation is that the moisture from the device exits through a special hose into the ventilation passages. Therefore, the installation of such equipment requires additional installation work. This moment reduces the popularity of ventilation dryers among consumers.

Condensing

Condensing type machines are more practical. They do not require a special installation site, since moisture accumulates in a special container during the drying process. This container must be periodically emptied of water in order for the device to work properly.

Electric dryers with heat pump

The design of this type of dryer has a cooling circuit. It provides intensive cooling of air streams, thereby accelerating the process of condensate formation. As a result, the drying cycle of the laundry is shortened and the clothes dry in a shorter time.

Read below about how an electric dryer is arranged and how it works.

Dryer design

Dryer drums for clothes have a fairly simple design. We will tell you what most condenser dryers look like.

  1. Control Panel. It contains an electronic display, a program selector, depending on the type of clothing, buttons for additional functions.
  2. Drive belt connecting the motor to the tank.
  3. Dryer drum. This is the main element of the dryer, in which the process of drying things takes place.

    Most electric dryers have tank lights. This helps to track the condition of the laundry, and also facilitates its loading and unloading.

  4. Electric motor
  5. Heat exchanger. In it, cold and hot air flows move along two channels at once. However, they do not mix with each other. This is how air is cooled and condensation is further formed.
  6. Heating element (TEN). It heats up the air before it enters the drum directly into the clothes.
  7. Fan. It helps to capture cold air and sets its correct direction.
  8. Container for collecting condensate. It can be located at the bottom of the front panel or where the powder receiver is located in the washer. Water must be drained from it periodically so that there is somewhere for new condensate to go.

    If the model provides for connection to the drainage system, then the condensate will drain directly into the sewer.

  9. Air intakes with fluff filters. They collect dust, particles of debris coming with air currents. Filters should be cleaned at least once a month.

Principle of operation of the device

The electric dryer in operation resembles an automatic machine. The main element is a rotating drum. But unlike a washing machine, it is not water that enters the drum, but warm air, which dries things. In this case, the rotation of the drum does not exceed 100 revolutions per minute.

Before entering the laundry tub, the air masses pass through fluff filters. Then the fan directs them to the heating element. The air is heated by the heating element to a temperature of 50–70 degrees, and only then, with the help of an additional fan, does it move into the drum.

After removing moisture from wet clothes, the air descends to the heat exchanger. There he gets rid of excess moisture and cools down, after which he again goes to the heating element. Thus, continuous circular circulation of air flows and drying of wet things is ensured.

The maximum drying power consumption per cycle is 4 kW. But in most dryers, it is 1500-2300 watts.

Dryer operation

There is nothing difficult in using machines for drying clothes. To know how to use them, read the brief information below.

  • Loading laundry. Its quantity should not exceed the capacity of the equipment.

Clothes must first be wrung out in a washing machine or by hand.

  • The choice of program depending on the material of the clothing.

Conventionally, programs are also divided into drying by time and by the residual level of moisture in things.

  • Cycle completion. Dried linen, taking into account the degree of its humidity, is sent to the closet or ironed.
  • Removing fluff from fluff filters. The procedure is mandatory and cannot be ignored. Because filters clogged with dust will not be able to pass air properly. As a result, the technique will not dry things well. 
  • Getting rid of condensate. After the end of each cycle, you need to remove the condensate container and pour out the collected moisture.

The next drying cycle can only be started after a 40-minute break.

Now you know how dryers work and what they are for. And as it turned out, using them, in some moments, is even easier than using washing devices.

There is no doubt about the practicality and usefulness of dryers. After all, household appliances that facilitate the housework of the hostess simply cannot be useless.

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